FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT COREY BENJAMIN - PAGE 4

Tim Floyd says he wouldn't trade futures with any other coach in the NBA. Yet the Bulls' current stock steadily plummets. Marks of futility deface a lost season like graffiti scribbled on a wall. After suffering a franchise-record 59th defeat Tuesday night in Milwaukee, the Bulls must face those same playoff-seeking Bucks Thursday night at the United Center. "We knew it was going to be very difficult to make a marked improvement after the trade with Toni [Kukoc]," Floyd said Wednesday as the Bulls braced for their final eight games of the season.

Less than a third of the way through the season, the Bulls already are living la vida loca. Serious injuries to Hersey Hawkins, Toni Kukoc, Fred Hoiberg and now Randy Brown have depleted a backcourt that represented the most experienced area of what could have been, at best, a mediocre ballclub. With a 2-16 record heading into Wednesday night's game at Indiana, the Bulls again will be hard-pressed to shed the distinction of being the only NBA team not to win a road game this season.

Guess you've figured out why Phil Jackson used to yell at Toni Kukoc. A lot. BACK AT YA The Bulls raised their championship banner Tuesday night, their sixth in eight years and the last for quite a while--and that goes for both United Center teams. If Chairman Reinsdorf had his way, they also would have raised jersey No. 23 on behalf of the entire NBA. Chairman Reinsdorf, remember, had suggested that anyone else who wears Michael Jordan's number should be considered "a pretender."

The Bulls are developing a deleterious reputation around the NBA as a team that lacks both talent and toughness. Teams such as Phoenix on Wednesday night and Golden State on Tuesday enjoy layup drills against the soft Bulls defense. "We probably gave up 15 or 20 layups tonight," veteran Bulls guard Randy Brown said angrily after the 105-81 loss to the Suns. "We have to get into the frame of mind to force some teams to make some free throws and stop being so passive. We are real passive now, we are worried about fouling people.

The Bulls are the only team in the league averaging fewer than 84 points per game. In other words, it's time to start the scrap-the-triangle debate again. Coach Tim Floyd maintains the current offensive struggles are as much a reflection of other issues--poor transition game, poor shooting percentage--as the system itself. He also preaches patience. "In talking to Phil Jackson and Tex Winter, they didn't think their group fully grasped it until three years in," Floyd said.

The "Kukoc factor" kicked in again Friday night for the Bulls, who exorcised several statistical demons from their pathetic portfolio. A 110-103 victory over the eminently underachieving Washington Wizards (11-22) gave the Bulls (4-26) their first road win of the season. They also became the last NBA team to score more than 100 points this season in winning back-to-back games for the first time since last April 18 and 20. "They haven't scored 100 points all year and they went and scored 110 tonight.

Energy shortage, limited talent, road game ... the NBA's Y2K hazards were in place for the Bulls on Thursday night as the Minnesota Timberwolves cruised to a 94-76 victory at the Target Center. All-Star Kevin Garnett led six players in double figures with 22 points as the T-wolves handed the Bulls their 10th straight loss. "Garnett's always a load," coach Tim Floyd said. "He's a special talent because he's so versatile. He's such a difficult matchup for all teams." The Bulls (2-25)

AUTO RACING North Carolina Speedway: Named Kari Pequet director of ticketing. BASEBALL AMERICAN LEAGUE Baltimore Orioles: Announced RHP Calvin Maduro has cleared waivers and has elected free agency and RHP Kris Foster has cleared waivers and has been sent outright to Ottawa of the PCL. NATIONAL LEAGUE Cincinnati Reds: Named Doc Rodgers special assistant to the general manager. Florida Marlins: Assigned RHP Jason Grilli outright to Calgary of the PCL. BASKETBALL NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION Memphis Grizzlies: Waived C Robb Dryden and F Mark Vershaw.

`If you play games, the one gigahertz chip will make it more fun; if you want to do graphic design, one gig is good and two gig is better. If nothing else, this speed race makes life interesting.' -- David Wu, an analyst at ABN Amro, concerning a new Athlon gigahertz chip, made by Advanced Micro Devices Inc., introduced Monday. RON HARPER, ON SHAQUILLE O'NEAL SCORING A SEASON HIGH 61 POINTS ON HIS 28TH BIRTHDAY MONDAY: `I can't afford to buy something for the big man when he already has everything, so I gave him some assists.

Bulls center Brad Miller will be out a minimum of four weeks and up to six with the broken right hand he sustained late in Tuesday night's loss to Washington. The injury comes when Miller had started to hit his stride and possibly solidify a center position that had yet to be claimed in this young season. Michael Ruffin went scoreless at the position in the season opener and Elton Brand, playing out of position, started there before Miller got the call the last two games. With Miller out, expect Ruffin to see more playing time and for Dragan Tarlac to find the floor.